If you can't achieve, then you shouldn't achieve.
And that's all I ever wanted from you.
Utakata: She's an inspiration and a comfort to all the kids here...
Ikki: What could I ever have hoped for...?
The wielder of an empty... worthless sword...
Toka: You guys! You already made a banner?
Well‐ we don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves after all!
It's not even certain that I'll be in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival...
Yeah.
When the selection matches are over, I'll come back for a little while, sound good?
Alrighty then. Talk to you soon.
Bye‐bye, Mother.
(phone beeps)
How was the director? She sound good?
Uh‐huh. She said everyone is doing really great.
(door knocks)
Uh... coming!
Well hello. Glad you're here!
Thank you so much for coming tonight...
Miss Kurogane.
So what happened in your audience with Madame President?
Oh!
You're aware...
that I'm scheduled to fight your older brother
in the battle tomorrow...?
Yes.
Those unbelievable assholes...
I agree.
I don't like the way the Federation does things either...
But you understand I must accept their decision.
I've heard that he's not being kept in very good condition...
Toka: But I know... that when he walks out onto that battlefield...
he'll fight with everything he's got.
And so will I.
Anything less would dishonor him.
I'll have to fight him with all my heart and soul.
That's why... I wanted to ask you for a favor...
She wants you to ask Ikki to withdraw... God...
So what did you tell her?
I said I needed time to.. think...
What do I do Alice?
Should I ask him to withdraw from the match?
Only you can answer that, my love.
You're the only one in your family that Ikki opens up to.
And you also know first hand, just how strong Toka Todo is.
If Kurogane... withdraws from the fight and I win...
or even if he fights and I win...
Can I be proud... of going to the national competition
after winning the battle like that?
I don't know...
It's true.
The match is being fixed by adults to serve their own selfish ends...
but you're gonna have to fight in a way that you can be proud of‐ Toka...
And I'll bet ya, that's what Ikki would want.
Yeah. I guess no matter how it turns out, that's all I can do.
Hangetsu: Ladies and gentlemen,
it's the final day of the school's selection match!
We've got a steamy morning outside,
but the heat is coming from right here!
Six matches on six battlefields today,
and those six winners get their tickets to the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!
I don't have to tell you...
that all the combatants today are very tough fighters
who've each won all 19 of their matches so far!
Among them: Princess Stella Vermillion,
otherwise known as the Crimson Princess!
Her opponent today is one of the school's representatives
from last year, The double‐bladed junior...
Mizuki Ohinata!
But the fight that is getting everyone's attention today is this one folks!
One of the top four fighters of last year's
Seven Star Sword Art Festival, Toka Todo, vs the unbeaten
F‐rank knight: Ikki Kurogane!
The battlefield is packed with spectators,
all waiting to see the battle of the century.
And‐ highly irregular, folks‐
this match is being broadcast live on TV!
The sound of the helicopters above us
is only adding to the excitement down here!
With me is Miss Nene Saikyo...
Miss Ne‐
Oh!
Oh my God, she left me all by myself up here AGAIN!
Oh my. This is a little overboard‐ isn't it?
Rather stringent conditions for the Federation
to allow him to fight at the school‐ don't you think?
I do. And amidst all this‐
they've "arranged" for him to battle Toka Todo.
They're just dying to watch him fail...
There's only one way for Ikki to make it out of this intact...
and that is to win this battle.
Oh, I finally found you!
Oh yes... good morning...
Ugh!
Oh God‐ what are you doing here?
It was a special surprise dear!
"Surprise" my ass! Waddyou want?!
My favorite pupil gives a colorful greeting as always.
But that's part of what makes her so adorable!
Adorable?! Well that is not at all appropriate!
Nene. You know you love the old man...
Love is gross and old men are gross and I don't wanna go near either of 'em!
She's so precious!
(laughter)
Master Torajiro Nango,
welcome to Hagun.
Did you come to see Toka Todo's fight?
Exactly, she's another of my favorite pupils.
Though... I probably should've waited until the Seven Star...
but I just had to see the Kurogane boy...
Master Nango and Ryoma Kurogane
are relics from the same bygone era!
Weren't you lifelong adversaries?
Hmm...
Mr. Akaza...
Sly Akaza...
Unfortunately for everyone, Master Nango...
It seems increasingly apparent that today's match
may just have to be canceled.
(snickers)
Canceled?
Female PA: May I have your attention, please...
It's already time to start,
but Ikki Kurogane hasn't yet arrived on the grounds.
According to selection match rules,
Mr. Kurogane has 15 minutes to report to the arena
for his battle, or he will concede the match by default.
Mr. Akaza...
It was the Federation's responsibility to see that
Mr. Kurogane got here...
And I'm sure there must've been some miscommunication...
I arrived to collect the young man myself‐
but he'd already left on his own...
Akaza: But... he's a big boy‐ so I'm sure he'll be fine.
(panting)
Unless misfortune befalls him along the way...
(snickers)
Oh, apparently we'd confiscated his student handbook...
we thought you'd appreciate having it back.
(panting)
Ryoma: Does it frustrate you kid...?
Does it upset you‐ to be the weakest one?
That's good, you hold on to that feeling. It's proof...
that feeling means that you are not yet ready...
to give up on yourself.
How much good have those "words of wisdom" really done for you?
Maybe he was just a crazy, irresponsible, senile old man...
And you took him seriously‐
and you spent your whole life trying to live up to an impossible ideal.
We all have our limits and our place in this world is defined by them.
All that old man did...
was bring you more pain and loneliness.
And all you got out of it is this pathetic little sword
that nobody else in the whole world cares about.
How could such a useless and ungifted knight
who was tossed away ever hope to defeat Raikiri?
Don't you think you've had enough?
Aren't you tired of hanging on to some old man's nonsense?
Let it go...
You're going to be alright...
I've got you now...
I don't want you to go.
Please don't go.
I don't want you to fight her.
Shizuku...
But I realize...
I would never be able to stop you even if I wanted...
Back when we were growing up together...
I can't remember ever seeing you smile not even once...
But you do when you're here...
and I want you to do what makes you happy...
Ayase: Kurogane!
Kagami: Over here!
Manabe: Haha! My Main Master!
We're all waiting for you to get in there
and make us proud Mister Kurogane!
Kurogane... we all believe that you can do it!
You had the balls to beat me, so let's see'em again!
You're the samurai I respect.
You've gotta keep striving Ikki. Go get her!
Get in there and ace her, Master!
Our next front page...
is gonna say "Ikki Kurogane Wins A Flawless Victory!"
Thanks guys...
You can see that you're not alone‐ Big Brother.
Look at all those people.
You've inspired every single one of them.
And they all believe in you.
Ikki!
I'm keeping my promise and I am going to the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!
Of course.
How could I ever have questioned it?
Stella... I have a promise to keep...
It's you and me! All the way!
A text from Renren... Kurogane's just arrived.
Well...
Hm?!
I gotta go... Uta.
Yup! You have a good battle... Toka.
Hangetsu: Okay everybody, the long wait is over!
We'll now begin the final selection match...
for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!
Entering from the East Gate,
it's Toka "Raikiri" Todo, The Lightning Cutter!
(cheers and applause)
A shining star on a glorious path,
looking ready for the showdown!
And, entering opposite her from the West Gate...
it's the Worst One, Ikki Kurogane!
He's been through Hell‐
and he looks a little worse for the wear,
But here he is!
Looking lean and mean and more than ready to do battle!
Miss Alice! How'd it go?!
(chuckles) My opponent was very gracious.
So, how's our boy doing?
Kurogane is completely exhausted.
I wonder what they did to him...
It could be the boy was enjoying himself and stayed out too late
Akaza: (snickers)
Toka: I'm so sorry, Kurogane.
I know that you're tired and wounded.
But I still can't help...
being excited about this battle today.
Because ever since... the first time I saw you fight,
I've been imagining...
What it'd be like to fight you!
I feel exactly the same way, Toka...
And now that I'm standing here...
I will not shame you,
or any of the good people who've shown me support.
I owe you all a great deal more than that.
Ikki: So I swear to you...
the only thing that I can.
With all my strength, I will defeat all of yours!
Hangetsu: The girl who's remained at the top,
versus the boy who climbed up from the bottom.
Their final battle begins now!
Computer: (buzzer) Let's go ahead!
ITTO SHURA!
Kurogane has already opened the match with his Itto Shura!
That's surprising to say the least!
What's he doing?!
That's so reckless!
Heh.
What, Stella?
So Ikki must've... decided to do that from the beginning.
He won't use any tricks. If he wants to beat her...
I'll have to take you head on!
He'll come at me straight ahead.
If I could avoid him once‐ then I'd win...
Not that way!
I'm only gonna get one good shot.
So... if one's all I get...
I'll give it all my power!
Close‐range is my territory!
The best place for me to fight is right here!
This... is how I show my respect to the warrior who faces me...
And this... is how I'll beat her!
I will will face him... with my unbeaten Raikiri!
It doesn't matter anymore... if they set us up!
I'm not fighting to protect my status in this school!
Ikki & Toka: I'm fighting... because I want to beat this knight...
with all the power I have inside of me!
The Seventh Secret Sword, Raiko!
Raikiri!
I knew from the beginning...
that she's strong...
and I don't have her power.
So I have to gather it all... and force it out...
I don't need a minute. All I need is one second!
Sharpen my soul!
Push through...! USE IT ALL!
(panting)
Hangetsu: GAME OVER!
Todo is down!
One exchange of swords...
one single attack!
One moment later...
Todo and her Raikiri are shattered into pieces!
Let the winner hear you folks!
(roaring cheers)
The Worst One. No! Another One! Ikki Kurogane!
Heh.
Wh‐what' the meaning of this?!
Toka Todo must have been pulling all of her punches!
No, son.
Toka used her power to its very limit‐
of that I have absolutely no doubt in my mind! ,/ Nango: But that amazing boy...
he expanded his limit at the very last moment.
Huh?! He did what?!
He wasn't going to beat Raikiri with Itto Shura.
He put it all... into one stroke...
Every bit of his power in one swing, rather than one minute.
(seething)
That one has far more than power.
More than simple technique...
He has... strength beyond strength.
And the will of a demon...
Well then we should call it... the "Itto Rasetsu" from now on.
(giggles)
The boy is so much... like his grandfather...
I'll never... allow this... I WILL NOT!
Are you going to do anything about him?
I think that's about to get worse...
Whatever he does, it'll be too late.
Ikki Kurogane just won all of his arguments
with one stroke of a sword.
Kurono: He won't be theirs to control... not anymore.
Not yet...
I... can't pass out yet...
There's something... I have to tell her...
Young man... I will not allow this!!!
You are a failed knight!
You are not worthy of the name KuroganeYAAAAAAHHHHH...!
Stella: Outta my way! You are not worthy of the name KuroganeYAAAAAAHHHHH...!
Ikki!
Stella...
I'm so proud of you... Ikki.
Thanks.
But... challenging her head‐on like that in the condition you're in...?
How stupid are you?
I know, I know.
Sorry to make you worry... like that.
It's ok. I'm stupid too.
'Cause... I've fallen in love... with a total idiot!
Oh... this warmth...
Ikki: This warmth... it's what saved me all along...
I have something I want to say...
Huh?
What?
Stella.
I want the two of us to be a family.
Yes! What took you so long to ask me?!
(thunderous applause)
This is a first!
A marriage proposal on the field!
AND THE PRINCESS SAID YES!
Itsuki: This is Kurogane.
Emperor: Hello, Mr. Kurogane... It's been a while.
Emperor of Vermillion?
Emperor: Look what your son has done.
This is obviously big news in my country as well.
I see. As chief of the International Federation of Magical Knights, I apolog‐
Emperor: There's no need. Kurogane...
let us spare our children the burden... of the schemes of adults.
Something I imagine any father would want for his children.
You agree with me, don't you... Itsuki?
Kagami: And then, since the Emperor of Vermillion clearly expressed his discomfort,
the whole scandal disappeared like yesterday's news!
Oh yeah‐ and... that Akaza guy
was ousted from the Ethics Committee!
Kagami: (laughs)
But you probably know more about that than I do...
So how's your brother? Is he feeling better?
Uh‐huh! He's... great!
Kurono: Junior Class, B‐rank, Kanata Totokubara.
Junior Class, C‐rank, Kikyo Hagure.
Junior Class, D‐rank, Botan Hagure.
Freshman Class, D‐rank, Nagi Arisuin.
Freshman Class, A‐rank, Stella Vermillion.
Freshman Class, F‐rank, Ikki Kurogane.
I officially announce these six representatives of Hagun Academy
for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!
(loud cheers)
And now we appoint our flag‐bearer.
President of the student council, Toka Todo, come forward.
Toka: Yes.
Thank you‐ Director.
I'm very proud to announce this year's leader...
And it's... Ikki Kurogane!
Huh?
Uh... but, wh‐why me?!
I think... anybody here could probably answer that question!
Yeah, Ikki!
"Another One" RULES!
Kurogane, way to go!
(cheers)
Now... please come here and receive the school flag, Kurogane.
Ikki: Oh... Right!
Hey Kurogane...
I am extremely proud... that I got to battle with you.
Miss Toda... it was only because...
you were my opponent... that I was able to exceed myself.
But winning is a promise.
And every victory brings responsibility.
You carry with you the hopes and dreams of all those you've defeated.
So carry ours, with this flag, to the top of the Seven Star!
Male Student 1: Ikki's the man! I promise.
Male Student 1: Ikki's the man!
Male Student 2: Hell yeah, Another One!
(cheers)
Stella.
Yep?
Ikki: You know, I used to think I didn't care what people thought of me,
as long as I knew my own value.
But being acknowledged by others now... it feels pretty good.
Yeah! 'Specially when it's by someone... that you like!
Heh.
(birds chirping)
Ikki: By the way... Stella?
Stella: What is it, Ikki?
Ikki: What I said the other day, about me wanting us to... be a family?
Alice: Booties incoming!
Shizuku: Excuse me.
Sh‐Shizuku?
Alice?
You lovebirds only have two more years until graduation....
In the meantime, I'm going to teach you everything you need to know
about being a Kurogane bride.
First, you must be no closer to him than one meter
until you're married.
Stella: Hey now? What are you talking about?
Hey! Let's just take it easy, guys... Stella: Hey now? What are
Hey! Let's just take it easy, guys...
You "take it easy!" You "take it easy!"
Yup, got it... I'll calm down... Shizuku: No kissing, no conversations
no physical contact of any kind, these are the Kurogane rules!
Stella: You just made that up, like one second ago!
Shizuku: It doesn't matter when I made it up. They're rules now.
Stella: Then kissing 30 times a day! That's a Vermillion rule!